There was plenty of outrage when Matthew Stafford signed a contract extension with the Lions prior to the 2017 season.

Stafford became the highest-paid player in NFL history and his detractors were flummoxed.

“Stafford has never won a playoff game.”

“Look at his record against winning teams.”

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But the contract made perfect sense for the Lions. If Stafford had not signed the deal, the franchise would be up the creek without a paddle.

General manager Bob Quinn would have had to use the franchise tag on Stafford this off season, meaning the Lions would have lost defensive end Ziggy Ansah - a former first-round draft pick, a Pro Bowler not long ago and by far their best pass rusher - to free agency. Quinn was subsequently able to use the tag on Ansah.

Stafford’s looks like a bargain now. Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo have since received more guaranteed money.

The portrayal of Stafford as greedy was hollow. If he played the length of his contract, and waited out the franchise tag, he’d still be in his early 30s, in his prime as an NFL QB and received much more as an unrestricted free agent.

Currently, as the 2018 NFL Draft approaches, the Lions have plenty of flexibility and salary cap space. They will be able to take the best players available and add to a solid veteran nucleus.

Without the Stafford contract extension, the Lions would have been forced into selecting a QB in the first round, and seriously considering trading up from 20th overall, to prepare for Stafford’s probable departure.

Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, LaMar Jackson, Matthew Stafford - which of these QBs would give the Lions the best chance to win a Super Bowl the next five years?

Stafford’s tracking upward, especially key statistics such as completion percentage and yards per attempt. His pocket presence is much better.

The Lions were last in rushing, yielded the seventh-most sacks and had the NFL’s 27th-ranked defense in ’17. Yet, the Lions still won nine games, were seventh in points per game and 13th in offensive yards. What that strongly suggests is very good QB play, perhaps exceptional. With an average QB, it’s likely the Lions would have only won four or five games each of the last two seasons instead of nine.

The great unknown is whether Stafford, if given a respectable offensive line, a solid inside running back and at least average defense, can take the Lions to the Super Bowl, and truly establish whether he is genuinely elite.

But the Lions at least have a chance to find out, perhaps sooner instead of later, because of Stafford’s contract extension.

It provides no guarantees, but without question has put the Lions in much better position moving forward.